Health Library

Gastric Stimulator

A gastric stimulator can reduce nausea in patients with gastroparesis, a condition that causes the stomach to not empty correctly.

The device is about the size of a small earphone case. Once in place, the device can work in the abdomen for up to seven years. Battery life depends on the intensity of the settings needed for relief of symptoms. When the battery life ends, the device may need to be replaced.

Gastric Stimulator: A Two-Phase Procedure

Adoption of gastric stimulator therapy occurs in two phases. The first phase tests whether a child is likely to have less nausea and vomiting from the gastric stimulator. Children who have positive results during the test phase go on to the second phase, which includes surgical implantation of the device.

Test Phase

Before putting the gastric stimulator in your child, the gastroenterologist (GI doctor) conducts testing to learn if the therapy is likely to be effective.

The test phase begins with a procedure. The patient is put to sleep with general anesthesia. In a process similar to an upper endoscopy, the surgeon uses a scope to guide wires with electrodes through your child’s nose into the stomach. These temporary wires are attached to the inside of the stomach. The other end of the wires stay outside of the body and are attached to the gastric stimulator.

For children who have a G tube (a tube in the belly for feeding), doctors can sometimes place the test wires through the stoma (hole where the tube is inserted) of the G tube, instead of through the nose.

Patients typically return home the same day the test wires are placed. During the two-week test phase, your child will wear the stimulator on a cord around their neck.

As part of the testing, you and your child will keep track of their nausea symptoms. You can compare them to past symptoms using questionnaires and a written log at home. If the test stimulator helps relieve symptoms by at least half, your child’s medical team will likely suggest implanting a gastric stimulator device for longer-term therapy.

If the test phase does not help your child’s symptoms, the wires will be removed. Your child’s medical team will discuss other treatment options, such as continuing medications.

Implantation Phase

For patients who respond well to the test, surgery to implant the gastric stimulator typically occurs two weeks after the test phase. Surgeons will insert the gastric stimulator using a laparoscopic approach. This is a minimally invasive way to do surgery. It will allow your child to recover faster and go home the same day.

During the procedure, your child will be put to sleep with general anesthesia. The surgeon will then put the device into your child’s abdominal wall and attach its wired electrodes to the outside of the stomach. No wires or other medical equipment will be seen after the surgery.

After the stimulator is placed, your child will return to the doctor for follow-up care. Once every three months, if needed, the gastroenterologist may adjust the electrical impulse setting on the gastric stimulator. This is done using a programmable controller. This step can speed up or slow down the electrical impulses to improve your child’s symptoms, as needed.

Life With a Gastric Stimulator

A gastric stimulator does not make any noise, and it cannot be seen by others. Your child will be able to feel the device through the skin. You and your child will not need to operate it in any way.

Living with a gastric stimulator requires ongoing medical monitoring. Families who choose this option should commit to regular check-ups with their doctor.

Families should tell all medical staff about their child’s gastric stimulator. The device can have a bad reaction to MRIs and certain other medical testing.

Children with gastroparesis who use a gastric stimulator usually see great improvement in their symptoms. For some children, the therapy may be stopped after a period of time because it is no longer needed. For others, the stimulator is needed long-term.

All children can expect to take medications or have other therapies while using the gastric stimulator. It’s important to find an experienced care team that is committed to finding the best combination of therapies. This will help your child live a normal life, as free as possible from the symptoms of gastroparesis.